Just noticed that Autohome, the company that makes the Maggiolina, Columbus, and Overland tents, has an ARB Simpson clone now called the Overzone. They've updated their website too, http://www.autohomeus.com . From my reading here seems that Eezi-awn is the favorite. Would be great to hear your opinions on Autohome's quality. I was leaning towards a small trailer but the Overzone, or the ARB Simpson, as well as the Eezi-awn T-top seem like a better way to go. I'm buying a 1983 Toyota Tercel 4X4 wagon to use the tent with. Thanks for any advice!
Autohome Tents
- Thread starter vantexan
- Start date
Martyn
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
Autohome produce good quality tents. However using a tent like the Eezi Awn T-Top, ARB Simpson, or the Overzone is problematic on a trailer.
Most trailer lids sit around chest height and this design of tent is made to go on the roof rack of a taller vehicle. There is normally head clearance under the tent platform allowing lots of head room in the lower room.
If you fit any of these tents to a low vehicle or trailer you will have to modify the wall panels i.e. shorten them and rather than standing you will be crouching.
People have done the modification and it works, it's just not ideal.
Most trailer lids sit around chest height and this design of tent is made to go on the roof rack of a taller vehicle. There is normally head clearance under the tent platform allowing lots of head room in the lower room.
If you fit any of these tents to a low vehicle or trailer you will have to modify the wall panels i.e. shorten them and rather than standing you will be crouching.
People have done the modification and it works, it's just not ideal.
Martyn said:
I didn't write my post very well! What I meant was I was going to tow a small trailer to camp in, but after looking at these tents think I'd prefer to carry one on my vehicle's roof. Autohome has a shorter side panel, probably what I'd need,, as well as tall side panels for taller vehicles. They seem to pay attention to details like that. I've never spent this much on a tent, but it's cheaper than the trailer and seems to cut way down on various hassles. You guys may not know it, but after many years of RVing, I own a 26' trailer, reading what you guys are doing is like discovering a whole different world! And one I wish I had found years ago.
spressomon
Expedition Leader
Ok...I had and used an Overland (king size) tent atop my AT Horizon. It was very well manufactured. Top notch materials and top notch customer service from Mike S. However if it or any other RTT was mounted high atop a rig I don't think I would care for the removing and reinstalling of the protective covers they all entail. If you can stand atop your rig and walk all the way around the RTT then it might not pose an insurmountable concern. However it's not a lot of fun trying to install one of these types of protective covers high atop a rig especially in windy conditions (all of the fabric RTTs utilize some variant of the same overall design)!
A Maggiolina or Columbus IMO would be a better choice particularly from this perspective. I went from the Overland to the Maggiolina Grand Tour Medium and really appreciate the ability to just crank it up or down without the hassle of a fabric type protective cover to deal with (the Columbus is the fastest and easiest open/close of any I believe). And Maggiolina is available in a large...not quite as spacious as the Overland king...but its all about which compromises you can get along with ;-)
Dan
A Maggiolina or Columbus IMO would be a better choice particularly from this perspective. I went from the Overland to the Maggiolina Grand Tour Medium and really appreciate the ability to just crank it up or down without the hassle of a fabric type protective cover to deal with (the Columbus is the fastest and easiest open/close of any I believe). And Maggiolina is available in a large...not quite as spacious as the Overland king...but its all about which compromises you can get along with ;-)
Dan
Mike S
Sponsor - AutoHomeUSA
Choosing a roof top tent
Everybody has a slightly different set of requirements for using their RTT. This is why we have several different models in various sizes. We have incorporated a section on our website to assist people in understanding what models might best suit their needs HERE. This is a good place to begin.
As Martyn mentioned, the tents with the entry hood are really designed for use on top of vehicles, and they do have several advantages - they provide shelter when entering or exiting the tent, the changing room below the tent platform will be larger - by 10 -12 square feet and will surround the ladder, and they offer more privacy. We offer the changing room in standard and 4X4 heights.
The OverZone model is recently released, and we have brought a few in our last container. One of these went to OverLand Journal for review, so you should be seeing a review in that magazine in an upcoming issue.
The OverZone design was developed based on user experience with the OverLand model and feedback received from AutoHome customers world-wide. The quality of these tents is world class. As the North American importer, we provide warranty service and stock spare parts in inventory in the event a tent is damaged. We do our very best to respond to customer needs. We have sold well over 1000 roof top tents in North America, and have been in business for years.
We also guarantee that you will like your tent. If you don't, you may return for a refund anytime within 30 days of purchase. Details are on our website.
Mike S
Everybody has a slightly different set of requirements for using their RTT. This is why we have several different models in various sizes. We have incorporated a section on our website to assist people in understanding what models might best suit their needs HERE. This is a good place to begin.
As Martyn mentioned, the tents with the entry hood are really designed for use on top of vehicles, and they do have several advantages - they provide shelter when entering or exiting the tent, the changing room below the tent platform will be larger - by 10 -12 square feet and will surround the ladder, and they offer more privacy. We offer the changing room in standard and 4X4 heights.
The OverZone model is recently released, and we have brought a few in our last container. One of these went to OverLand Journal for review, so you should be seeing a review in that magazine in an upcoming issue.
The OverZone design was developed based on user experience with the OverLand model and feedback received from AutoHome customers world-wide. The quality of these tents is world class. As the North American importer, we provide warranty service and stock spare parts in inventory in the event a tent is damaged. We do our very best to respond to customer needs. We have sold well over 1000 roof top tents in North America, and have been in business for years.
We also guarantee that you will like your tent. If you don't, you may return for a refund anytime within 30 days of purchase. Details are on our website.
Mike S
Corey
OverCamping Specialist
I have the Maggiolina model in medium, and I dig it.
Will be spending three nights in it come Memorial Day weekend.
The ease of setting it up is very nice.
Undo three latches on the case, insert the crank/handle, and have it setup in a minute or so.
I have a down comforter that I bought awhile back to go on top of the flannel sheets.
It will be like sleeping at home, very comfortable.
Will be spending three nights in it come Memorial Day weekend.
The ease of setting it up is very nice.
Undo three latches on the case, insert the crank/handle, and have it setup in a minute or so.
I have a down comforter that I bought awhile back to go on top of the flannel sheets.
It will be like sleeping at home, very comfortable.
Thanks everyone for the good advice. While I like the OverZone type tents best, I can see the merits of the others. If I could afford it I'd probably go with the carbon fiber Columbus to reduce the weight. My goal is to spend several years traveling around Mexico and Central America. The emphasis will be on spending a couple weeks or more in each location so an enclosed area for changing clothes, etc is preferable. I'll use a bike for local transport so constant breaking or setting up camp won't be necessary.
My wife as looking at the autohome site with me and wants two overcamps.
One for us and one for the kids. That might be kind of cool. That way I can have a smaller setup for when I head out by myself with space for other toys. We can drop on the second unit when it's the whole family.
Seems like a good setup with the size of our rig.
One for us and one for the kids. That might be kind of cool. That way I can have a smaller setup for when I head out by myself with space for other toys. We can drop on the second unit when it's the whole family.
Seems like a good setup with the size of our rig.
kidishi@gmail.com
Adventurer
Hi All,
I just bought Mikes last OverZone tent but havent had the opportunity to use it yet but have to say the construction is top notch! The new 420g cotton/acrylic fabric is super heavy duty! It opens quickly and the medium size is huge inside. It folds down to a very managable size and I like the fact that it wont take up the whole roof when I get it mounted . I will post some pics of it on my pick up when I get a chance as it isnt going to live on that so its not mounted. If you have any questions let me know because I have only the second of 2 in the US right now so I was kinda buying blind. Im not disappointed yet!
I also bought the 4x4 changing room but obviously havent attached that because I havent mounted the tent yet.
caleb
I just bought Mikes last OverZone tent but havent had the opportunity to use it yet but have to say the construction is top notch! The new 420g cotton/acrylic fabric is super heavy duty! It opens quickly and the medium size is huge inside. It folds down to a very managable size and I like the fact that it wont take up the whole roof when I get it mounted . I will post some pics of it on my pick up when I get a chance as it isnt going to live on that so its not mounted. If you have any questions let me know because I have only the second of 2 in the US right now so I was kinda buying blind. Im not disappointed yet!
I also bought the 4x4 changing room but obviously havent attached that because I havent mounted the tent yet.caleb
1leglance
2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
a question about the Columbus model...it has a rear door that is at an angle when open....how do you keep rain out?
On both the Columbus and Magg line there isn't any sort of extension to keep rain out of the tent, any recommendations or soluntions?
I really like the idea of a hardshell that I could add a solar panel to....and how easy they setup/takedown.
On both the Columbus and Magg line there isn't any sort of extension to keep rain out of the tent, any recommendations or soluntions?
I really like the idea of a hardshell that I could add a solar panel to....and how easy they setup/takedown.
Corey
OverCamping Specialist
For those who have not seen how easy it is to open up the Maggiolina tents, I made a short video Saturday.
I opened it up to put in my down comforter I picked up awhile back, and getting it ready for the Memorial Day camping trip I am going on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHd77e7PbIE
I opened it up to put in my down comforter I picked up awhile back, and getting it ready for the Memorial Day camping trip I am going on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHd77e7PbIE
NewFoundFreedom
Adventurer
I am now at the point of getting a RTT and this info was very informative. I looked at the web site and thought to myself is it worth the extra money to get the hard shell vs the soft one? Any thoughts?